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The first 737 has rolled out of Boeing’s new completion and delivery centre in Zhoushan. Air China received the first plane from the facility which is a joint venture between Boeing and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

The handover comes 20 months after construction began on the 100-acre site which is the first of its kind to be based outside the United States. The 737 MAX 8, B-1178 (c/n 60906) was assembled at Boeing’s Renton facility before being ferried via Kalaeloa Airport in Hawaii, and Guam’s Antonio B Won Pat International Airport to the new completion and delivery centre at Zhoushan Putuoshan Airport.

Zhao Yuerang, president of COMAC congratulated Boeing on delivering its first aircraft saying that it was “a significant milestone of Boeing’s efforts to deepen its footprint in China, as well as to support the growth of China’s airline industry.”

The complex will complete interior work on aircraft with work expected to gradually expand to include painting, following the addition of three hangers. Once completed, jets will move to the adjacent Boeing-operated delivery centre for customer acceptance activities and delivery formalities.

Commenting on the development, Boeing’s commercial airplanes president and CEO, Kevin McAllister added: “This moment signifies our growing partnership with China that stretches back over nearly half a century, we’re proud of our long relationship with the Chinese government, airlines and industry partners and the trust they place in Boeing.”

The new centre is designed to handle the whole 737 MAX family of aircraft. With one third of all 737 deliveries go to Chinese customers, the new facility is likely to help the US aerospace giant to expand even further in the country.

Current Issue

February 2019In the February edition of Airliner World we travel to Larnaca in Cyprus to join the final commercial flight for the British Airways Boeing 767 fleet. The widebody has been a workhorse of the British flag carrier for decades, with a fascinating history spanning far-flung royal charters to more modest domestic operations. As we close one chapter of modern aviation, another begins as we visit Airbus headquarters in Toulouse to find out more about their A330neo project. We speak to key players involved in the project and determine what the future holds for the crowded - but highly lucrative - mid-market sector.
Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Gulf Air CEO Krešimir Ku&#269;ko, as the Bahraini national airline transforms not only its fleet but its wider strategy as it adopts a new boutique concept. Continuing our globetrotting this month, we profile Osaka’s Itami Airport, which is carving a niche as the city’s premier domestic gateway and visit Canada’s Northwest Territories to learn more about the classic ‘piston-pounders’ of Buffalo Airways. As part of our ongoing historical insights, we remember the Lockheed Electra L-188, an elegant, four-engine turboprop which raised the bar for performance, range and luxury until critical design flaws destroyed public confidence and forced the programme to a premature close.
Finally, we bring you our comprehensive coverage of worldwide news, including a full report from the Bahrain International Airshow, plus Cathay Pacific roster their A350-1000 to Manchester, ANA receive their first superjumbo, a first look at WestJet’s new Dreamliner, and Air Astana unveil their Embraer E2 in a striking snow leopard livery. We also have our regular sections covering the latest commercial aircraft acquisitions, up-to-date accident reports and developments from the world of aviation training and MROs and we give you the chance to win aviation DVDs worth over £200 in our reader competition.